Film reel with a chordal connection slot

ABSTRACT

A film reel having a chordally arranged slot for connecting the film reel with the end of a strip of film. The slot contains a barb which cooperates with an aperture formed at the end of the film strip. Once the film strip end is placed within the slot, and the barb engages the film strip aperture, accidental separation of the film end from the slot is obviated.

United States Patent 1191 Cook 1 June 4, 1974 FILM REEL WITH A CHORDAL2477,0111 7/1949 Schmidt 242/74 x CONNECTION SLOT 3.522.915 8/1970Krtous 242/74 3,690,582 9/[972 Duvzlll 242/7L] Inventor: Gerald k,Lynnfie d, M ss- 3,653,605 4/1972 Payne 242/76 [73] Assignee: PolaroidCorporation, Cambridge,

Mass. Primary ExaminerJ0hn W. Huckert [22] Filed y 15 1972 AssistantExaminer-Edward J, McCarthy 21 A LN 253,063 I 1 pp 0 57 ABSTRACT [521US. Cl. 242/74 A hhh reel having chordally arranged for 51 Int. (:1 B65h75/28 hechhg fihh reel with the end of Strip of fihh [58] Field ofSearch 242/74 71 71.1 71.2 The Contains barb which cooperates with242/15 erture formed at the end of the film strip. Once the film stripend is placed within the sl0t, and the barb [56] References Citedengages the film strip aperture, accidental separation UNITED STATESPATENTS of the film end from the slot is obviated.

21 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures l,93(),|44 [0/1933 Lee ..242/74PATENTEDJUN 4 I974 SHEET 2 OF 3 FIG.. 4

FIG.30

FILM

FEED NEHANISM MECHANISM FILM REEL WITH A CHORDAL CONNECTION SLOTBACKGROUND A new generation of motion picture film cassettes has beenrevealed by the assignee of this application in recently issued patents,including US. Pat. Nos. 3,608,455; 3,615,127; and 3,641,896. Thesepatents disclose motion picture film cassettes which contain a quantityof self-developing film and processing apparatus for use therewith.

This invention concerns, in general, a novel film reel assembly havingbroad application but intended especially for use in or with such motionpicture film cassettes. As the film used is of the self-developingvariety, all film processing and development occurs within the confinesof the film cassette. Accordingly, there exists no need to remove thefilm from the reel by a processing laboratory, as is commonly done, orby the consumer. The film strip is attached directly to the reel througha slot arrangement. The specific configuration of the slot insures thatno separation between the film end and the reel will occur. Should theneed arise for the film end to be separated from the reel, the inventionprovides for a second embodiment which facili tates the deliberate butnot accidental film end and reel separation.

The present film spool may be additionally configured to have a tactilediscontinuity located thereon which facilitates the automatic mechanicalaligning of the film end with the slot during manufacturing operatIons.

As shown and described in a copending application for United Statespatent entitled Processing Composition Release Mechanism for FilmCassette Comprising Self-Contained Film Processing System, by John F.Batter, Jr. et al, Ser. No. 227,092, filed Feb. 17, 1972 and assigned incommon herewith, and in US. Pat. No. 3,641,896, there exists anautomatic assemblage within the film cassette which is actuated by atactile discontinuity upon the film for initiating the automaticprocessing and development of the motion picture film. This tactilediscontinuity is present as a raised portion on the film at one ofitsends. Due to the desirability ofhaving the film wind flat on the reel, arecess is provided about the hub of the reel which is capable ofaccommodating the raised portion. Once the discontinuity is containedwithin the recess, normal flat winding of the film may be achieved.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is a general object and feature of thepresent invention to provide a film reel assembly having means forconveniently connecting the end of a strip of motion picture film to thereel, the connecting means being configured to reduce the possibility ofaccidental separation between the film strip and the reel.

It is another general object and feature of this invention to provide animproved film reel assembly for use in a motion picture film cassettecharacterized in containing film of the self-developing variety.

It is still another object and feature of the present invention toprovide a film reel assembly having a tactile discontinuity thereon forfacilitating the alignment of an automatic film feeding mechanism andthe ice] assembly when the film strip is connected to the reel assemblyduring manufacture.

It is yet, another object and feature of the present invention toprovide a film reel assembly with hub means, a portion of the hub meansbeing recessed for accommodating a physical discontinuity on the filmstrip, whereby a flat winding of the film strip about the hub means maybe effected.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obviousand will in part become apparent as the following description proceeds.The features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointedout with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part ofthis specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of amotion picture film handling cassette embodying features of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the film reel assembly according to thepresent inventions with portions cut away to more clearly defineinternal detail;

FIG. 3 is a top sectional view of a portion of the reel assembly of FIG.2 taken through line 3-3;

FIG. 3a is a lateral view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a top sectional view of the reel assembly of FIG. 2 taken inconjunction with the specific winding operation of the motion picturefilm;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the reel assembly of FIG. 2 showing a tactilediscontinuity formed therein;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention with portions cut away to reveal detail more clearly;

FIG. 7 is a top sectional view of the reel assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top sectional view of a third embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 9 is a lateral view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a cassettestructure 10 into which the present invention is incorporated. Cassette10 includes a supply reel 12 and a takeup reel 14. Attached to each ofthese reels l2 and 14 are the respective ends of a strip of motionpicture film 16. Strip 16 passes from supply reel 12 to a series ofIdlers 18, 20, and 22. Positioned in close proximity with idler 20 is acontainer 24 of viscous development composition suitable for developinglatent images recorded on film strip 16 during exposure. Suitable means(not shown) are included within container 24 for applying the. viscousdevelopment composition upon film strip 16 subsequent to exposure.

Cassette 10 is additionally provided with a fIlm aperture 26 acrosswhich film strip 16 passes in traveling between idlers 20 and 22.Located in alignment with film aperture 26, and immediately behind filmstrip 16, is a pressure plate (not shown) which correctly positions filmstrip 16 for purposes of exposure and projection. The pressure plateincludes an aperture formed therein behind which a photographic image ispositioned for projecting the film strip 16. Provided behind filmaperture 26, film strip 16, and the pressure plate is a recess 28 inwhich is mounted a prismatic projection element 30. Disposed behind filmaperture 26 and around prismatic element 30 is a baffle member 32 whichpartially extends around idler 22 and around idler 20 toward idler 18 toprevent light from penetrating the interior portion of the cassettestructure.

Cassette 10 is initially furnished with most of the film strip 16 in itsphotosensitive state coiled on supply reel 12. For exposure purposes,the cassette 10 is mounted within an appropriate camera (not shown) withthe take-up reel 14 engaged by suitable drive means (not shown) of thecamera. In this use the film aperture 26 serves as an exposure stationthrough which images are directed by the camera lens (not shown) througha camera shutter (not shown) and onto the photosensitive film strip 16in its passage from the supply reel 12 to the take-up reel 14. Duringthe exposure sequence, the viscous development composition is retainedin container 24. Film 16 is drawn onto the take-up reel 14 by powersupplied from the camera and is advanced past the film aperture 26 inincremental steps by a typical claw mechanism (not shown) cooperatingwith a series of sprocket holes 34 appropriately provided in the filmstrip 16. v

A pressure plate assembly, shown generally as at 36, is provided betweenidler 20 and film aperture 26. Pressure plate assembly 36 is operativeto bias film strip 16 into contact with a nozzle opening 38 formed incontainer 24 when processing is commenced. The processing anddevelopment of film strip 16 is not initiated until substantially all offilm strip 16 is passed from supply reel 12, is exposed in passingthrough film aperture 26, and is wound on take-up reel 14. Cassette 10is then inserted into a viewing apparatus which effects a furtherincremental amount of movement of strip 16 from supply reel 12 totake-up reel 14. This additional amount of film movement positions atactile discontinuity or bump 40 (see FIG. on strip 16 within theconfines of the pressure plate assembly 36. Bump 40 is proximate to thesupply reel l2 end of the film strip 16 and will be discussed in furtherdetail below. When bump 40 is correctly located within the pressureplate assembly 36 it is operative to actuate assembly 36, whereby thelatter is dropped into position for biasing strip 16 into contact withthe nozzle opening 38 of container 24. Next, the viewing apparatus isactuated for rewinding film strip 16 from take-up reel 14 to supply reel12. It is during this rewind operation that the film strip 16 is coatedwith the viscous development composition and processing occurs. For afuller understanding of the development processing mechanisms and theiroperation, reference should be made to a copending application forUnited States patent entitled Processing Composition Release Mechanismfor Film Cassette Comprising Self-Contained Film Processing System byJohn F. Batter, Jr. et. al., Ser. No. 227,092 filed Feb. 17, 1972 andassigned to the assignee of the present application.

The configuration of supply reel 12 is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Forpractical considerations, supply reel 12 and take-up reel 14 areidentical. As seen in FIG. 2, supply reel 12 is formed having a hubportion 42 and two flanges 44 and 46 located at either end of hub 42.Hub portion 42 is formed having a central hollow portion which isengaged by a spindle (not shown) or a suitable alternative about whichreels 12 and 14 are rotated during normal operation. A chordal slot 48is also provided within hub 42 away from the axis of hub 42. Located atthe junction of hub portion 42 and flanges 44 and 48 are shouldermembers 50. As shoulder members 50 are positioned at the extremities ofhub 42, there exists a central depressed banded recess 52. The specificfunctions of recess 52 will be discussed in detail below.

Chordal slot 48, as seen in FIG. 3, extends through hub 42 andaccordingly, has two apertures 54 and 56 at either end of slot 48. Slot48 fully extends between flanges 44 and 46 as do apertures 54 and 56.Located within slot 48 and fixed to an interior wall 58 is a barb orhook shown generally at 60. Barb 60 has an obliquely sloped portion 62and an acutely sloped portion 64. As may be evidenced from FIG. 3a, barb60 extends into a V-grooved cut-away portion 66 formed in the exteriorwall 68 of slot 48. V-grooved portion 66 is centrally located withinslot 48 and does not fully extend between flanges 44 and 46. A lowerexterior wall 70 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3) defines the exteriorwall limit of slot 48 at the extremities of hub 42 as at flanges 44 and46. For molding purposes. interior wall 58 and exterior wall 68 are notformed as linear walls, but slope away from the central portion of slot48. This sloping, as may be seen in FIG. 3, permits the extraction ofthe molding units after reel 12 has been formed.

The connection of film strip 16 with supply spool 12, as well as take-upreel 14, is a relatively simple operation. The film strip 16 contains anaperture 72 at one end of suitable size so as to fit over barb60. Thefilm end is fed into slot 48 through aperture 56 to a point where itencounters the lower end of sloped portion 62 of barb 60. The film endthen rides up along obliquely sloped portion 62. As this operationproceeds, the film is temporarily distorted; the central portion of thefilm following the general contours of the V-groove 66. The lateraledges of film strip 16 remain within the confines of the slot defined byinterior wall 58 and lower exterior wall 70. Film feeding is continueduntil the aperture of the film falls over barb 60 and assumes a positionbest shown in FIG. 4. Due to the slope of portion 64 of barb 60, theaperture and film end are captured by the barb 60. Any force tending topull the film end out of slot aperture 56 merely pulls the film apertureinto deeper engagement with barb 60.

It should be noted that slot 48 is chordally positioned with respect tohub 42 due to the drive'assembly and the hollow centers (not shown) ofand for both supply reel 12 and take-up reel 14. One advantage to begained from this configuration is that film strip 16 may be more easilyremoved during assembly. In particular, the end of the film strip andbarb 60 are closer to aperture 54 in the chordal relationship than ifslot 48 was located along the diameter of hub 42. Accordingly, there isincreased ease in the removal of strip 16 from barb 60 should thedeliberate removal be necessary during manufacturing assembly.

The second feature of the present invention is addressed to the tactilediscontinuity 40 in film strip 16. should no provision be made fordiscontinuity 40, an uneven film strip winding about hub 42 wouldresult. Accordingly, recess 52 is provided, as a result of thepositioning of shoulder members 50, for accommodating tactilediscontinuity 40 and permitting a more even winding of the film strip16. Looking to FIG. 4, there is shown a diagrammatic representation ofthe film winding. Film strip 16 is formed having a relatively smallcircular aperture 72 at one end, which, when inserted into slot 48, iscaptured by barb 60 as described above. Positioned at a predetermineddistance from aperture 72 along film strip 16 is a relatively largeoblong aperture 74. A second large oblong aperture 76 is also positionedon film strip 16 so as to fall on top of aperture 74 as the film windingproceeds. Tactile discontinuity 40 is so spaced from aperture 74 as tofall directly on top of both apertures 74 and 76. As a result, tactilediscontinuity 40 falls through aperture 76 and aperture 74 and intorecess 52. Due to the width of film strip 16 and the narrow width ofrecess 52, it should be obvious that film strip 16 is wound, at thestart, upon shoulder members 50 and not recess 52. As a result, recess52 does not contact film strip 16 and is unencumbered for accommodatingtactile discontinuity 40. As may be evidenced from FIG. 4, tactilediscontinuity 40 extends away from film strip 16 a distance equal to adouble thickness of film strip 16 in addition to the depth of recess 52below shoulder members 50. Therefore, film strip 16 may be wound moreevenly about hub 42 without flattening" discontinuity 40 or distortingthe generally circular winding of strip 16.

Looking to FIG. 5, there is shown another feature of the presentinvention. This feature relates to an automatic film feeding apparatuswhich first locates slot 48 and then introduces an end of film strip 16therein. In the preferred embodiment, a notch 78 is cut into the outerperiphery of flange 46. Notch 78 is positioned proximate one of a seriesof ratchet members 80 also located at the outer edge of flange 46.Ratchet members 80 and their function are disclosed in a copendingapplication for United States Patent entitled Processing CompositionRelease Mechanism for Film Cassette Comprising Self-Contained FilmProcessing System, by John F. Batter, Jr. et al, Ser. No. 227,092 filedFeb. I7, 1972 and assigned to the assignee of the present application.Notch 78 cooperates with a tab element 82 which is moved into and out ofengagement with notch 78 through a tab actuating mechanism as at 84.Also present is a film feed mechanism 86 which is operative to feed filmstrip 16 in the direction of arrow 88 and into slot 48.

During the assemblage of cassette l0, supply reel 12 is rotatablymounted upon a spindle (not shown) or an appropriate substitutetherefore. Reel 12 is then rotated until tab 82 engages notch 78. Whenthis engagement is effected slot 48 is directly in line with film strip16 and film feed mechanism 86. Accordingly, the engagement of tab 82with notch 78 is operative to actuate film feed mechanism 86, byappropriate linkages as shown by dashed line 90, and film strip 16 isfeed into slot 48. As a result, film strip 16 is united with reel 12through the engagement between aperture 72 and barb 60 automatically,and with greater ease and speed than would be realized from a manualcounterpart. While only a preferred embodiment has been shown, it shouldbe apparent to those skilled in the art that notch 78 and tab 82 may bereplaced by a hole and rod or any appropriate tactile discontinuity anda tactile discontinuity finding" element.

FIG. 8 represents another alternative of the supply reel 12 relative tothe automatic film feeding system discussed above. Instead of a singleslot, two parallel slots 92 and 94 are provided within hub portion 42.Slots 92 and 94 are identical and contain the same elements as does'slot 48 of FIGS. 2 and 3. It may be seen that barbs 60 in both slots 90and 92 are pointed in the same direction. The purpose in providingsupply reel 12, as well as take-up reel 14, with two slots becomesevident when considered in light of the film feeding procedure describedabove. Instead of only one notch 78 on flange 46, there is an additionalnotch positioned 180 away from notch 78. As a result, tab 82 of FIG. 5will have to hunt for a notch 78'for only a maximum of 180 instead ofthe maximum of 360 when only one notch is provided. Since the notch 78can be found more easily, time spent in rotating reels 12 and 14 duringfilm feeding is reduced and film strip 16 and reels l2 and 14 are moreeasily connected.

Another embodiment of reel assemblages l2 and 14 is shown in FIGS. 6 and7. As may be best evidenced from FIG. 6, the exterior wall section 68(see FIG. 3a) is removed leaving shoulder members 50. Shoulder members50, however, remain for defining a slotted configuration as shown inFIG. 9. As a result, an aperture or window 98 is formed overlying thebarb 60 and a slot 100. Slot is defined at its upper limit by shouldermembers 50 and at its lower limit by an interior wall 102. Configured assuch, slot arrangement 96 permits the same method of uniting film strip16 and barb 60 discussed previously. Additionally, window 98 does notalter the manner in which film strip 16 is 'wound'around hub 42. Themajor advantage derived from window 98 is the relative ease in whichfilm strip 16 and barb 60 may be separated should such a separation benecessary. Specifically, window 98 permits ready access to barb 60 andaperture 72 of film strip 16. Aperture 72 may be more easily extractedfrom barb 60 by use of an implement (not shown) which is fitted withinwindow 98 and which is used to lift the film strip 16 from barb 60. Itshould be noted that because cassette 10 is sealed, this type ofextraction would be available during the assembly of cassette 10 and notby the consumer unless the cassette is opened.

What is claimed is:

l. A film reel comprising:

a substantially cylindrically shaped hub having both first and secondend portions, said hub having a hollow center;

flanges, mounted on said hub at said end portions, said flanges having agenerally circular shape and having a diameter substantially greaterthan the diameter of said hub; and

slot means formed within said hub and located without said hollow centerfor providing a terminal into which one end of said film is inserted andby which said film is retained, said slot means having a generallyslit-like configuration and being chordally oriented with respect to theaxis of said hub and having a width substantially equal to the distancebetween said flanges, said slot means being substantially removed fromthe axis of said hub.

2. A film reel comprising:

a substantially cylindrically shaped hub having both first and secondend portions, said hub having a hollow center;

flanges, mounted on said hub at said end portions, said flanges having agenerally circular shape and having a diameter substantially greaterthan the diameter of said hub; and

slot means formed within said hub and located without said hollow centerfor providing a terminal into which one end of said film is inserted andby which said film is retained, said slot means being chordally orientedwith respect to the axis of said hub and having a width substantiallyequal to the distance between said flanges, said slot means beingsubstantially removed from the axis of said hub, said slot means furtherincluding: a lower wall portion; an upper wall portion; a generallyV-shaped groove formed within the central portion of said upper wallportion; and barb means extending from said lower wall portion into saidV-shaped groove for engaging an aperture formed within said film, saidbarb means being so oriented as to permit the insertion of said filminto said slot through an entrance aperture and further oriented as tocapture said aperture within said film when said film is fully insertedwithin said slot means.

3. The film reel according to claim 2 in which said barb means containsa first ramped surface obliquely oriented with respect to said entranceaperture, and a second ramped surface oriented behind said first rampedsurface with respect to said entrance aperture said second rampedsurface being operative to engage said aperture of said film and retainsaid film in said slot means through said film aperture.

4. The film reel according to claim3 in which said film is maintained ina flat orientation over said lower wall portion within said slot meansthrough outer portions of said upper wall portion, said film aperturebeing captured by said barb means when said film is maintained in saidflat orientation over said lower wall portion of said slot means.

5. The film reel according to claim 4 in which said slot means and saidfirst ramped surface of said barb means are operative totemporarily flexsaid film when said film is inserted within said entrance aperture ofsaid slot means and to direct said film aperture over said barb meanswhereby said film aperture is captured by said barb means and film isunflexed and remains in said flat orientation.

6. The film reel according to claim 5 in which said slot means,chordally oriented with respect to said axis of said hub, is locatedwithout the hollow center portion of said hub.

7. The film reel according to claim 6 in which said cyclindricallyshaped hub is formed having a central peripheral recessed portion foraccommodating a tactile discontinuity on said film when said film iswound on said reel, said tactile discontinuity being accommodated bysaid recessed portion of said hub, whereby a flat and even winding ofsaid film about said hub is effected. v

8. The film reel according to claim 7 in which said reces'sed portion isformed having a width less than said distance between said flanges.

9. The film reel according to claim 2 in which said slot means isconfigured having:

a lower wall portion, on which said barb means is fixedly attached; and

a partial upper wall portion, said central portion of said upper wallportion being removed for permitting access to said barb means and saidfilm.

10. The film reel according to claim 9 in which said partial upper wallportion is defined by said outer portions of said upper wall portion,said outer portions of said upper wall surface maintaining said film insaid flat orientation when said film is captured by said barb means.

11. The film reel according to claim 10 in which said outer portions ofsaid upper wall surface are separated by a distance equal to the widthof a recessed portion formed about the central periphery of said hub.

12. A film reel comprising: a hub having both first and second endportions; slot means formed within said hub for providing a terminalinto which one end of a film strip is inserted and by which said filmend is retained; and

flanges, mounted on said first and second end portions, at least one ofsaid flanges having a physical discontinuity thereon, in predeterminedangular relationship with said slot means said physical discontinuitybeing operative to facilitate the location of said slot means during anautomatic film feeding operation in which said film end is inserted intosaid slot means.

13. The film reel according to claim 12 in which said physicaldiscontinuity is formed as a notch on the outer periphery of at leastone of said flanges.

14. The film reel according to claim 13 in which said hub is formedhaving at least two slot means, and at least two physicaldiscontinuities in said predetermined angular relationship with each ofsaid slot means for maximizing the locating of said physicaldiscontinuities and said slot means during said automatic film feedingoperation.

15. A film reel for winding a quantity of motion picture film thereon,said film reel comprising:

a substantially cylindrically shaped hub having both first and secondend portions;

flanges, mounted on said hub, said flanges having a generally circularshape and having a diameter substantially greater than the diameter ofsaid hub; and

slot means formed within said hub for providing a terminal into whichone end of said film is inserted and by which said film is retained,said slot means having a generally slit-like configuration and beingchordally oriented with respect to the axis of said hub and having awidth substantially equal to the distance between said flanges.

16. A film reel for winding a quantity of motion picture film thereon,said film reel comprising:

a substantially cylindrically shaped hub having both first and secondend portions;

flanges, mounted on said hub, said flanges having'a generally circularshape and having a diameter substantially greater than the diameter ofsaid hub; and

slot means formed within said hub for providing a terminal into whichone end of said film is inserted and by which said film is retained,said slot means being chordally oriented with respect to the axis ofsaid hub and having a width substantially equal to the distance betweensaid flanges, said slot means further including: a lower wall portion;an upper wall portion;

a generally V-shaped groove formed within the central portion of saidupper wall portion; and barb means extending from said lower wallportion into said V-shaped groove for engaging an aperture formed withinsaid film, said barb being so oriented as to permit the insertion ofsaid film into said slot through an entrance aperture and furtheroriented as to capture said aperture within said film when said film isfully inserted within said slot means.

17. The film reel according to claim 16 in which at least one of saidflanges is formed having a physical discontinuity therein, in apredetermined angular relationship with said slot means, said physicaldiscontinuity being located on said flange with respect to said slotmeans for facilitating the location of said slot means during anautomatic film feeding operation in which one end of said film isinserted into said slot means for engaging said first film aperture withsaid barb means.

18. The film reel according to claim 17 in which said slot means isconfigured having:

a lower wall portion, on which said barb means is fixedly attached; anda partial upper wall portion, the central portion of said partial upperwall portion being removed for permitting access to said barb means andsaid film.

flanges, mounted on said hub, said flanges having a generally circularshape and having a diameter substantially greater than the diameter ofsaid hub;

slot means formed within said hub for providing a terminal into whichone end of said film is inserted and in which said film is retained; and

barb means located within said slot means; said barb means being sooriented as to permit the insertion of said film into said slot throughan entrance aperture and further oriented as to capture an aperturewithin said film when said film is fully inserted within said slotmeans, said motion picture film including:

a first aperture proximate one end of said film, said first aperturebeing engageable with said barb means for connecting said film to saidreel;

a second aperture having a generally oblong shape;

a third aperture having a generally oblong shape and placed apredetermined distance from said second aperture; and

a tactile discontinuity located a select predetermined distance fromsaid third aperture, said tactile discontinuity extending apredetermined distance from the plane of said film.

21. The film reel according to claim 20 in which said cylindricallyshaped hub is formed having a central peripheral recessed portion foraccommodating said tactile discontinuity on said film when said film iswound on said reel, said tactile discontinuity falling through saidthird aperture and said second aperture and into said recessed portionof said hub, whereby a flat and even winding of said film about said hubis effected.

1. A film reel comprising: a substantially cylindrically shaped hubhaving both first and second end portions, said hub having a hollowcenter; flanges, mounted on said hub at said end portions, said flangeshaving a generally circular shape and having a diameter substantiallygreater than the diameter of said hub; and slot means formed within saidhub and located without said hollow center for providing a terminal intowhich one end of said film is inserted and by which said film isretained, said slot means having a generally slit-like configuration andbeing chordally oriented with respect to the axis of said hub and havinga width substantially equal to the distance between said flanges, saidslot means being substantially removed from the axis of said hub.
 2. Afilm reel comprising: a substantially cylindrically shaped hub havingboth first and second end portions, said hub having a hollow center;flanges, mounted on said hub at said end portions, said flanges having agenerally circular shape and having a diameter substantially greaterthan the diameter of said hub; and slot means formed within said hub andlocated without said hollow center for providing a terminal into whichone end of said film is inserted and by which said film is retained,said slot means being chordally oriented with respect to the axis ofsaid hub and having a width substantially equal to the distance betweensaid flanges, said slot means being substantially removed from the axisof said hub, said slot means further including: a lower wall portion; anupper wall portion; a generally V-shaped groove formed within thecentral portion of said upper wall portion; and barb means extendingfrom said lower wall portion into said V-shaped groove for engaging anaperture formed within said film, said barb means being so oriented asto permit the insertion of said film into said slot through an entranceaperture and further oriented as to capture said aperture within saidfilm when said film is fully inserted within said slot means.
 3. Thefilm reel according to claim 2 in which said barb means contains a firstramped surface obliquely oriented with respect to said entranceaperture, and a second ramped surface oriented behind said first rampedsurface with respect to said entrance aperture said second rampedsurface being operative to engage said aperture of said film and retainsaid film in said slot means through said film aperture.
 4. The filmreel according to claim3 in which said film is maintained in a flatorientation over said lower wall portion within said slot means throughouter portions of said upper wall portion, said film aperture beingcaptured by said barb means when said film is maintained in said flatorientation over said lower wall portion of said slot means.
 5. The filmreel according to claim 4 in which said slot means and said first rampedsurface of said barb means are operative to temporarily flex said filmwhen said film is inserted within said entrance aperture of said slotmeans and to direct said film aperture over said barb means whereby saidfilm aperture is captured by said barb means and film is unflexed andremains in said flat orientation.
 6. The film reel according to claim 5in which said slot means, chordally oriented with respect to said axisof said hub, is located without the hollow center portion of said hub.7. The film reel according to claim 6 in which said cyclindricallyshaped hub is formed having a central peripheral recessed portion foraccommodating a tactile discontinuity on said film when said film iswound on said reel, said tactile discontinuity being accommodated bysaid recessed portion of said hub, whereby a flat and even winding ofsaid film about said hub is effected.
 8. The film reel according toclaim 7 in which said recessed portion is formed having a width lessthan said distance bEtween said flanges.
 9. The film reel according toclaim 2 in which said slot means is configured having: a lower wallportion, on which said barb means is fixedly attached; and a partialupper wall portion, said central portion of said upper wall portionbeing removed for permitting access to said barb means and said film.10. The film reel according to claim 9 in which said partial upper wallportion is defined by said outer portions of said upper wall portion,said outer portions of said upper wall surface maintaining said film insaid flat orientation when said film is captured by said barb means. 11.The film reel according to claim 10 in which said outer portions of saidupper wall surface are separated by a distance equal to the width of arecessed portion formed about the central periphery of said hub.
 12. Afilm reel comprising: a hub having both first and second end portions;slot means formed within said hub for providing a terminal into whichone end of a film strip is inserted and by which said film end isretained; and flanges, mounted on said first and second end portions, atleast one of said flanges having a physical discontinuity thereon, inpredetermined angular relationship with said slot means said physicaldiscontinuity being operative to facilitate the location of said slotmeans during an automatic film feeding operation in which said film endis inserted into said slot means.
 13. The film reel according to claim12 in which said physical discontinuity is formed as a notch on theouter periphery of at least one of said flanges.
 14. The film reelaccording to claim 13 in which said hub is formed having at least twoslot means, and at least two physical discontinuities in saidpredetermined angular relationship with each of said slot means formaximizing the locating of said physical discontinuities and said slotmeans during said automatic film feeding operation.
 15. A film reel forwinding a quantity of motion picture film thereon, said film reelcomprising: a substantially cylindrically shaped hub having both firstand second end portions; flanges, mounted on said hub, said flangeshaving a generally circular shape and having a diameter substantiallygreater than the diameter of said hub; and slot means formed within saidhub for providing a terminal into which one end of said film is insertedand by which said film is retained, said slot means having a generallyslit-like configuration and being chordally oriented with respect to theaxis of said hub and having a width substantially equal to the distancebetween said flanges.
 16. A film reel for winding a quantity of motionpicture film thereon, said film reel comprising: a substantiallycylindrically shaped hub having both first and second end portions;flanges, mounted on said hub, said flanges having a generally circularshape and having a diameter substantially greater than the diameter ofsaid hub; and slot means formed within said hub for providing a terminalinto which one end of said film is inserted and by which said film isretained, said slot means being chordally oriented with respect to theaxis of said hub and having a width substantially equal to the distancebetween said flanges, said slot means further including: a lower wallportion; an upper wall portion; a generally V-shaped groove formedwithin the central portion of said upper wall portion; and barb meansextending from said lower wall portion into said V-shaped groove forengaging an aperture formed within said film, said barb being sooriented as to permit the insertion of said film into said slot throughan entrance aperture and further oriented as to capture said aperturewithin said film when said film is fully inserted within said slotmeans.
 17. The film reel according to claim 16 in which at least one ofsaid flanges is formed having a physical discontinuity therein, in apredetermined angular relationship wiTh said slot means, said physicaldiscontinuity being located on said flange with respect to said slotmeans for facilitating the location of said slot means during anautomatic film feeding operation in which one end of said film isinserted into said slot means for engaging said first film aperture withsaid barb means.
 18. The film reel according to claim 17 in which saidslot means is configured having: a lower wall portion, on which saidbarb means is fixedly attached; and a partial upper wall portion, thecentral portion of said partial upper wall portion being removed forpermitting access to said barb means and said film.
 19. The film reelaccording to claim 18 in which said partial upper wall portion isdefined by said outer portions of said upper wall portion, said outerportions of said upper wall surface maintaining said film in said flatorientation when said film is captured by said barb means.
 20. A filmreel having a quantity of motion picture film wound thereon, said filmreel comprising: a hub; flanges, mounted on said hub, said flangeshaving a generally circular shape and having a diameter substantiallygreater than the diameter of said hub; slot means formed within said hubfor providing a terminal into which one end of said film is inserted andin which said film is retained; and barb means located within said slotmeans; said barb means being so oriented as to permit the insertion ofsaid film into said slot through an entrance aperture and furtheroriented as to capture an aperture within said film when said film isfully inserted within said slot means, said motion picture filmincluding: a first aperture proximate one end of said film, said firstaperture being engageable with said barb means for connecting said filmto said reel; a second aperture having a generally oblong shape; a thirdaperture having a generally oblong shape and placed a predetermineddistance from said second aperture; and a tactile discontinuity locateda select predetermined distance from said third aperture, said tactilediscontinuity extending a predetermined distance from the plane of saidfilm.
 21. The film reel according to claim 20 in which saidcylindrically shaped hub is formed having a central peripheral recessedportion for accommodating said tactile discontinuity on said film whensaid film is wound on said reel, said tactile discontinuity fallingthrough said third aperture and said second aperture and into saidrecessed portion of said hub, whereby a flat and even winding of saidfilm about said hub is effected.